Daredevil Plays Batman in Man of Steel 2!
August 23, 2013 by dracs
Yes, we know this isn't hobby related, but it's such big news for geekdom that we had to throw in our two cents.
By now most of you will know that the Caped Crusader is going to be turning up in Superman's next flick. And just who are they getting to play the iconic role of Batman? This guy:
Needless to say this has engendered something of a... mixed reaction from the community. Warren described his own reaction as being one of horror when he heard and to be honest I can see why.
Affleck is known for playing a number of comedic roles, not something one might expect of someone who is to be the Dark Knight and while he has done some pretty good dramatic roles in the past they are tainted by some truly terrible ones (though shalt not mention Pearl Harbour).
And let us not forget that this is not Affleck's first foray into super hero films.
Yeah that didn't go down that well.
Having said that, I am actually rather hopeful. I seem to be one of the only people who actually enjoyed Daredevil (seriously watch the director's cut and ignore all the scenes with Jennifer Garner, it's not that bad).
Affleck's portrayal of the Man Without Fear could easily be transferred to a pretty good Batman performance. For one thing, Affleck did modulate his voice while wearing the mask, but he could still be easily understood and did not sound cartoonishly over the top. Christian Bale take note.
And of course may I remind you that this would not be the first time we've heard of a strange casting decision which in the end payed off. Anyone remember their reaction to hearing this?
I suppose only time will tell.
Which side do you take on this decision? Are you optimistic, or does the prospect horrify you to your very core?
I think he can carry Bruce Wayne. His performance as Daredevil raises some doubts as his ability to be Batman though Christian Bale with his gravelly voice and terrible action scenes was no better. Plus I assume that with Snyder directing he’ll be buried under so much costume and special effects it probably won’t make much difference. If the film is going to be crap it’ll be because the guy at the helm can’t tell a story to save his life.
I just started to get some sympathy for Affleck after seeing ‘The Town’ so maybe, mabye, with a little luck, he’ll do a good job. But as said, he’s done so many other stuff, it’ll be hard to see Wayne instead of Ben…
I think Argo proved he was good at what he does, both from behind the camera and in front of it. I think I’ll have to wait and see of course but I hold out for him being pretty good in the role.
Much like with Doctor Who I think we have found our favourite Dark Knight with Christian Bale (others might disagree of course) and it will be hard to top him.
BoW Ben
I count mself amongs the “others” lol. I thought Bale was poor as both Batman (had little presence, couldn’t do the action scenes well, had a silly voice) and was a personality black hole as Bruce.
I would say Bale was a very good Bruce Wane and an awful Batman. Michael Keaton was I think the best of both, it’s just a shame the costume at the time restricted him.
Um i remember the same reaction when hey cast Michael Keaton as Batman, most remembered him from Beetlejuice and thought he wouldnt be able to carry it, but IMO he was arguably the best of the bunch.
To be honest I think a lot of it is down to the skill of the director and script as well as the actors ability, Val Kilmer and George Clooney are generally ok but their stints as Batman sucked because the stories were so,…well,…crap really.
To be fair this is not first time when some one who was considered unlikely choice was chosen to this role. Michael Keaton started as comedic actor but he made exelent Batman and Bruce Wayne (my favorite one) in Batman and Batman Returns so who knows, maybe Ben Affleck can do same. After all he is talented actor and director on his own right so its possible that he can make that role his and make sure that we see on screen charachter that he is playing instead of him.
I’m in this camp of wait and see.
As @dracs pointed out to me earlier who would have though Heath Ledger would have made the definitive Joker (IMHO)
@dracs No need to apologize for posting, if its geek and awesome, it has a home here 😉
He was ‘the bomb’ in PHANTOMS yo!
I think the biggest fear we all have is due to our memories and perception of ’90’s’ Alleck, otherwise known as ‘wak’ Affleck or ‘Waklek’ 🙂 Not many seem to acknowledge that since those questionable younger years he’s gone on to build himself a fairly strong body of work and matured and developed rather well as an actor. If you aren’t convinced, check out his wonderful performances in Changing Lanes and Hollywoodland, the latter seeing him play George Reeve AKA the 1st actor to play Super-Man (meta casting!). He was also perfectly action movie serviceable as Jack Ryan in ‘The… Read more »
Why should Bruce Wayne have the detached indifference of Patrick Bateman? Is it still the 80’s? Did Grant Morrison die for nothing?
Grant Morrison isn’t dead. Bruce Wayne can be played in a number of different ways, Bale played him as vacuous and detached, Kilmer as psychologically scared, Keaton as quirky and deadpan…… So, why shouldn’t Bruce Wayne have the detached indifference of Patrick Bateman? Its as good an interpretation of a privileged rich kid as any.
Really? Grant Morrison isn’t dead? Who knew?
Not you, apparently 🙂
Someone rightfully pointed out that surely now Ben is Batman that means that Matt Damon has to be Robin? We can’t split up the bromance can we???!!!
If they’re riffing off DKR then that would make him Carrie Kelly.
It would be funnier if Damon were cast as Superman, honestly. Always in Matt’s shadow, poor Ben.
I wonder if bluntman and chronic will turn up?
Bales Batman is the best batman in my book.
Affleck will end up doing a great job, he has grown alot as an actor since the horrid Daredevil, where he was up against a poor plot and poor dialogue.
First, when I heard Heath Ledger was going to be playing Joker – I was quite excited, he was a great Actor and I was looking forward to his representation (It was great – easily on par with Jack Nicholson’s portrayal in the 1989 Batman Movie)
But Affleck… Really? – Maybe this is a scare tactic to try and convince Bale to pull a 180 on his ‘I’m Done as Batman’ Stance… Please… please…
Bleck as Batman? Horrible. As a ridiculous superhero fanboy who once pulled 80 titles a month, I’ll wait to see it for free.
I didn’t like Keaton either, though. That movie, back then, was delayed because the studio “couldn’t find someone handsome and athletic enough to bring the weight and drama they wanted” (or somesuch). So they cast a balding, potbellied comedian… A good Bruce Wayne, for me, doesn’t spaz out and scream “You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts!” But that’s just me. But that movie really doesn’t hold up well. *shrug*
The only reason why Ben Affleck was cast was to get people talking about Superman/ Batman as everyone online was only concerned about The Avengers Age of Ultron and who was going to be voicing a raccoon with a gun. Millions of people around the world do not support him, there are petitions all around the net with thousands of signatures to get rid of Ben Affleck. He made one good movie, and didn’t even win an award for acting, his rewards for acting are all Golden Raspberry awards and he isn’t called the Failure of Hollywood for nothing. You… Read more »
I a in the ok , lets see how it goes camp, Afleck was cursed with an awful story in Daredevil , beset with terrible acting from Colin Farrell and that big dude from Green Mile as The Kingpin , as DD I thought Affleck was ok , as Murdock less so. For me a Batman film is how they depict Bruce and Alfreds relationship (cos there is no way they would have a Robin , even though after Batman and Superman , Robin is the worlds most recognisable superhero). In the Nolans , the relationship is what made them… Read more »
Snyder directing.
Affleck as Batman
Enjoy your train wreck guys, I’m going to go and not be disappointed and watch some of the animated movies instead.
Sam, I agree with you. I liked the Daredevil film, and the follow up Elektra, I think Ben will do fine. One of my grips about the most recent Batman movies is that they set the Bar too high for what should be expected from a comic book movie. Mindless fun is what I look for.if I want deep and compelling i’ll just check out the Oscar winners… On Netflix.